Fish River Canyon Namibia

Fish
River Canyon
Namibia

This is
one of Africa's
most impressive sights. Its formation began some 350 million years ago and the
canyon cuts down 550 meters deep through layers of rock dating back 1000 million
years. This presents the visitor with a unique opportunity to view some of the
oldest rock formations on the planet.

Fish River Canyon - The Formation:

Towards the
end of the Mesoproterozoic Era , about 1,000 million years ago the earth's
surface where the Fish River Canyon is now situated was dominated by
a huge mountain range. This range of rocks, belonging to the Namaqualand
Metamorphic Complex are some of the oldest rocks in Namibia. Some
200 million year later these mountains were
subjected to enormous pressures as sub-volcanic magma forced its way
to the surface creating dolerite dykes. The earth in this region
then experienced a long period of inactivity other than ongoing
erosion that by about 650 million years ago had virtually reduced
the mountain range to, the then, ground level.

The formation of the Fish River Canyon could be
said to have commenced about 350 million years ago when tectonic
activity caused an enormous and lengthy block of rock to subside
creating a valley along which the off-flow of surface water formed a
great river. The waters have since cut a meandering path through the
softer rock to the depths can can be seen today, 550 meters at the
'Main View Point'. At its widest point the Canyon is over 28km
across. The canyon is the second largest in the world, coming after the
Grand Canyon in the USA.

Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail:

For the adventurous, there is a hiking trail along
the bottom of the Canyon that starts from the Hikers
Point near to the main view point. It takes 4-5 days and ends at Ai-Ais.
Hiking groups allowed are a minimum of 3 people to a maximum of 40.
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed. You are not allowed to
descend into the Canyon without a permit to hike the
trail and you are subject to the terms and conditions.

The Fish River Canyon lays within a National Park area, so there are
entrance fees payable to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The
camping facilities at Hobas are operated by Namibia Wildlife Resorts.